As the Canadian Football League (CFL) gears up for the draft, four Gee-Gees football players will be showcasing their talents in hopes of winding up on a professional roster this summer.
Defensive back Jackson Bennett, who was most recently ranked 13th in the CFL's Scouting Bureau rankings, has been announced as an attendee of the league's National Combine taking place in Winnipeg on March 24-25.
Bennett was named a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian, as well as an OUA All-Star on defence and special teams this season. The Ottawa native was also awarded the OUA's President's Trophy as the top stand-up defender in the conference. During the season, Bennett racked up 47 tackles, three interceptions, a sack, and a forced fumble on the defensive side of the ball. On special teams in the return game, Bennett tallied 664 yards and a touchdown.
Three other Gee-Gees will attend the Eastern Regional Combine in their hometown of Montreal on March 7 in hopes of gaining an invitation to join Bennett and other top prospects at the National Combine later in the month.
Linebacker Khadim Cheickh Mbaye continued his solid play in his final year with the Gee-Gees. Mbaye racked up 39.5 tackles, two and a half sacks, and one interception. In his four-year career, Mbaye totalled146 tackles, 14.5 sacks, and 22.5 tackles for loss for the Gee-Gees.
Fellow linebacker Ricardo Lubin will also be looking to make an impact in Montreal. In his final season with Ottawa, Lubin tallied 38.5 tackles, two sacks, and two fumble recoveries, which tied him for second most in the OUA.
Gee-Gees running back Bryce Vieira is the sole offensive representative heading to the combine, the shifty duel-threat back picked up 460 yards on the ground, as well as 255 yards through the air. In his career, Vieira has been a valuable weapon for the Gee-Gees, racking up 3894 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns in his four seasons. Vieira has one more year of eligibility remaining next season, should he choose to return to the team.
The 2018 CFL Draft will take place on May 3.
